AllFreeNovel
Share Us
six
CLEAR SIGHT - SARA
What the hell is going on? What are the chances of running into him again, at the exact same place where I’m staying? Not only that, but he’s connected to the place. And I’m supposed to be working with him.
There are a hundred reasons why having dinner together is a bad idea. Especially if I’m going to be honest with myself about what I really want. He might be off-limits for love, but it’s okay to have dinner with him. Then again, I wouldn’t have dinner with any other colleague if I wasn’t interested in something more, would I? Gah.
If I turn my first assignment into a fling, Reid will never trust me again. Yet I’m insanely attracted to him. His interest in me makes me light up. I feel desired, like a grown woman should feel, but it’s the first time in my adult life.
I need to clear my head and the best way for me to do that is to go for a run. Brax pointed me in the direction of the forest trail, and it only takes a few minutes to jog down the dirt path leading to the running trail.
At first, there are only a smattering of trees, but they become a thick tangle as I run further along the track. The crisp scent of moss and pine sharpen my senses and help clear my head.
I pick up the pace, scrambling down rocks, loving how strong and powerful my body feels. I love knowing my legs will do what I want, after spending so much time having no control over them whatsoever.
My feet strike the ground hard, their rhythmic beat steady and reassuring. A breeze picks up, so I remove the elastic band from my hair, leaving it loose. Strands fly around tickling my cheeks and nose and playing in the breeze.
As I wipe the sweat from my brow, I pretend I’m competing in an endurance race and laugh to myself. A year ago, I was barely able to walk with assistance, and now I’m running through a forest.
Life is amazing and full of surprises. A slow smile spreads over my face when my thoughts wander to Brax. He’s so masculine, so sexy, and his voice makes me want to throw myself at him and do things I’ve never even considered before.
My skin buzzes when I’m with him and I want to experience something new with him. Something deep and exciting. Erotic and wild. Of course, I have no idea what to do, but I’m sure he’ll be patient with me.
I run past the creek, then follow an uphill trail until I reach a clearing. I pause when I reach an escarpment, gingerly making my way to a clearing right at the edge. Ragged cliffs jut out at odd angles, leading to a sheer drop that ends with the water below.
The view is breathtaking, but as I stand here staring at nature’s majesty, I’m suddenly aware of just how alone I am.I wish I had someone to share this moment with. Someone special.
I don’t know what to do with these feelings, so when I recover my breath, I return to the trail and begin the descent. I lose sight of the trail and am confused about which direction to go. I was so intent on listening to Brax when he gave me instructions that I left my Garmin sports watch with Sat Nav in my suitcase.
The soft ground is covered in moss, and I keep my eyes on it as I power downhill, leaping over gnarled tree roots and landing in piles of sodden leaves. One slip, and I’ll end up on my ass, and I don’t want to tempt fate. Not after everything I’ve been through.
When I arrive at a fork in the path, I have to make a decision. I can set a couple of landmarks to guide me and try exploring further. Or I can return to the resort and wash my hair, shave my legs, and prepare myself to spend the evening with a handsome, albeit slightly grumpy, man.
I decide to see where this thing between us leads. If it’s a one-night thing, fantastic. If it’s something else, I’ll just deal with it if when it happens.
I race to the resort as fast as my little legs will take me.
BRAX
Chase and I live in a two-bedroom cottage at the rear of the resort property. At the end of my shift, I head home to shower, change, and make myself presentable. Earlier, I realized I would rather stay in and enjoy the room with her, so once I’m ready, I head to the resort kitchen and pack a picnic hamper for us to share.
When Annie sees me, she stops in her tracks and studies me closely. She takes in my tidy appearance and cups my face, her misty eyes full of pride. I bet she’s just itching to wipe a gob of spit on her thumb and smooth my hair down, like I’m a little kid.
She opens her mouth, but I hold up a finger to stop her from saying anything that will make me feel more exposed or embarrassed than I already feel.
“Don’t say a word,” I grumble. Conducting my romantic life under her watchful eyes is humiliating. I’m a grown ass man.
She throws both hands up in a gesture of peace and shakes her head, but the smile on her face says all she needs to say. She glances at the sky, where a crescent moon is emerging from the soft orange and purple glow of late sunset.
“It’s a beautiful evening. Where are you taking your new friend for dinner?” she asks pointedly, glancing at the hamper.
I arch a brow before leaning down to kiss her cheek. “Night, Annie.”
“Have fun,” she says, with a smile in her voice. “I’m sure you’ll show our guest a five-star time.”
“I will,” I assure her.
When I knock on Sara’s door, she doesn’t answer, so I wait and try a few more times. I can’t see inside the room through the frosted glass windowpane and hesitate, unsure whether to wait or knock again.
The door swings open and she’s standing in the doorway, smiling. Her perfect body is wrapped in a fluffy white towel, another towel wrapped around her hair like a turban.
“I’m sorry I took so long. I was in the shower.”
She’s the one hardly wearing anything, yet her gaze feels like it’s searing my naked flesh as it drifts across my broad chest before dropping to my crotch. She’s checking me out and isn’t the least bit ashamed of it.
“Come in,” she says, her voice smooth as silk.
